With Matt Schaub out for the season, it will likely fall on Matt Leinart(notes) to lead the Houston Texans to their first playoff berth.

Leinart might have some help in his first start for the team, as All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson is expected to return from injury for Sunday’s road meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Leinart didn’t take a snap in 2010 after signing with Houston and hasn’t started consecutive games since 2007 while with Arizona, which drafted him No. 10 overall the previous year. That will likely change for the former Heisman Trophy winner after Schaub was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and the Texans signed Kellen Clemens.

Leinart takes over with Houston (7-3) leading the AFC South by two games over Tennessee and seeking the first five-game win streak in team history.

Houston and its new quarterback will likely get some help in that quest with Johnson expected to play for the first time since Oct. 2.

Johnson, who missed the past six games because of an injured hamstring, had nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in his previous matchup with Jacksonville last November.

“It’s a great offense to be a part of,” Leinart said, “and now we get the best receiver in the NFL back, which is awesome to have. That’s going to be great.”

Johnson wasn’t in the lineup during a 24-14 victory over the Jaguars (3-7) on Oct. 30. Schaub passed for a touchdown and ran for another in that game, and Arian Foster(notes) rushed for 112 yards and a TD.

Houston, seeking its first three-game win streak in this series and first victory in Jacksonville since 2006, will face a Jaguars team that’s coming off a bitter defeat.

Look, we are going to run it vs. their D, we know that. However, the faster we get Leinart comfortable, the better. Even if it's some screens and dump-offs, Matt #2 needs to gain confidence. Last thing the Texans need are 3rd and longs with an uncomfortable QB. 80 is back, so involve him early. Make the Jags honor the pass, freeing up the Slaughterhouse. (My nickname for our stable of RBs...lol)

No Turnovers.

One thing the Jags could use in a game is a some early confidence. How do you get some "feel good" in a game? Turnovers. Sounds cliche, but the one thing that could impact the Texans the rest of the season is doing a complete 180 of what they've been doing: Turning the ball over. Protect the rock like they have been doing and there is no issues.

Jump on J-Ville early

From the 1st drive on, hammer these boys. One thing about JAX, they have been in EVERY game damn near. Key for the Texans is to obviously do what they have been doing on the road lately: Crushing their opponent from the opening kickoff to those triple zeros hit the scoreboard in quarter #4. Stuff the run, force turnovers and make them throw. I want to say "Get off my field" a ton today.

Bye Week rust...kill it early if it shows

Teams are 13-15 this year after byes, with a lot of them looking awful (Titans, for example). I think we'll avoid that since our boys are on the road. Regardless, shake it off early if it rears its ugly head. Some rust may pop up, so stay as sharp as possible. I think the Texans will be okay as long they do what they do.

It has been awhile since I've been so nervous about a game. It's because I literally have no idea what to expect. And it is because of our new starting QB. The story of what the last six games will be like starts today. If we can't beat Jacksonville, then its going to be a rough end of the season.

Honestly I feel like we come out passing. We will start by using multiple play action passes. That's what I would do if I was Gary. Keep the defense honest. We know they will respect the running game. Get some respect for the passing game. Get Matt out of the pocket. Give him easy reads and passes. Get him comfortable.

Texans/Jags preview about to come up on NFLN according to that side scroll.
(they just cut to commercials)

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Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify. ...the players are always changing, the team can move to another city, you're actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it.

Time for Shock & Awe, Optimus Prime, Wolverine and X-men to dominate in front of crowd of 10,000.

Where are the other 5,000 coming from?

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Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify. ...the players are always changing, the team can move to another city, you're actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it.

Talking about the Texans twice in 45 minutes...??
We're not the Jets! Eisen may fire somebody for this.

__________________
Loyalty to any one sports team is pretty hard to justify. ...the players are always changing, the team can move to another city, you're actually rooting for the clothes when you get right down to it.